Joey Bada$$ & CJ Fly Discuss The Inspiration Behind "Hardknock"

Joey Bada$$ and CJ Fly discuss the inspiration behind their song "Hardknock."

Over the past twelve months, Joey Bada$$ and his Pro Era crew have built up a reputation as one of the most exciting new rap groups to date. Now, in a recent interview with Decoded, Joey and partner CJ Fly explain their song "Hardknock."

Joey began discussing the song's history, saying that he actually discovered the track's beat while down in Virginia. CJ Fly added that he and Joey both had the similar idea to write a song about their incarcerated friends and ultimately decided to link up for the track.

"My city is like, 'the murder capital where they murder for capital.' 'Don't IM,' like instant messaging - 'Don't eye 'em 'cus they'll get the wrong message,'" Joey explained. "I took a trip to VA, and when I was there, I found the beat. When I came back, I showed it to [CJ Fly], and we just put our ideas together."

CJ Fly added, "My verse is I would 100% real. Like, it's all experience. I have a cousin that's incarcerated right now. That's me expressing myself where it's like how I felt about the situation. We both had the same idea, so we're like, 'Why not do it on this song?'"